CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- The WB will let its "One Tree Hill" continue to grow as the network has picked up the series for a full season of 22 episodes, the first full season order of its 2003-04 season freshman class.

"The most important thing we consider when picking up a show is its creative momentum," WB topper Jordan Levin said in a press release touting the news. "[The show] has grown creatively each week with broadening characters and emotionally resonant storylines. It's also a show that is generating that elusive thing called 'buzz' and we believe it has a chance to become one of the most significant series on our schedule for many years to come."

The release then went on to point out "Hill's" positive gains this season:

In its first season, the series is the fourth highest-rated drama on all of television in the trend-setting demo of female teens (4.6/17), a demo in which it regularly wins its time period. The series has added nearly one million viewers since its debut, as well as sustaining substantial growth in all demos important to the network, including 18-34, 12-34 and 18-49. In its most recent airing, on Tuesday, November 4, ONE TREE HILL set all-time series records in persons 12-34, women 18-34, women 12-34, teens and female teens (6.6/20, which was #1 on television for the night). This growth is especially impressive because the show was originally slated to debut at mid-season, but was moved up to the fall at a late date and went without a major marketing campaign.